iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 19h

I don't think the GOP is good for anybody these days. Themselves included.

Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

2 things are true: farmers can be "rich" (assets and resources > many others) AND they are in a volatile, $$$ intensive, low margin business subject that leaves them vulnerable to economic stress, much like their neighbors. Their interests are often more aligned than is recognized by either.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I hope the intended sarcasm came through.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

But AI can tell you what to do for free!

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I have significantly less faith and confidence in "what other people know" than I did 10 years ago.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

They said that avocado cold fusion was impossible. That only a mad man would attempt it. But who's laughing now? (Maniacal laughter ensues.) Also, the heat might be starting to get to me.

A sunrise peaks through the foliage of an avocado tree

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

107 Saturday, 106 Sunday, 104 currently. Still several days to go. Trying to keep the trees hydrated. Dogs are staying in tbe shady kennel with lots of water. No patrol for them in these temos.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Despite a very warm summer, our practice of infrequent, shallow irrigation and lots of mulch has kept the trees thriving. After 3/4 year, we are on track to have a very low water usage year.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

At our secret upholstery lab in an undisclosed location, the refreshed seats for our 1991 F150 undergo farm dog test and evaluation. Unfortunately, the Anatolian shepherd simulator might not be heavy duty enough for accurate data.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

That seems like an easy change. And no need for the scampering-up-a-tree mechanics.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I think there could be a big market for FPS (First person squirrel-chaser) content.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The avocado supply chain is doing a much better job of maintaining quality in transit, such that people all over the US can enjoy quality previously known only in Southern CA. (A very personal example, I know, but...)

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Reposted by Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer

Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

His brain is completely broken. What the actual fuck is this nonsense

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Or straight up land speculation, with farming as a way to generate a little cashflow and some tax breaks until the market or local zoning makes development viable.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Doesn't take long for things to go wrong. During the recent 108 degree heat we we applied some water to ease the stress. But the sprinkler under the left tree clogged, causing damage. The tree will survive, but at the cost of nearly all its 2027 and 28 crop.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

If one wants the benefits of feudal lordship, one must joust. The serfs demand it.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

These avocado trees will probably outlive me. I'm curious what their world will be if they complete their full productive lives in 2060-2070. (Planted 2023)

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Hope missed having a driver to take her on adventures while I was out of town for a few days. Does she seem happy that I'm back?

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Reposted by Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer

Dingo Jackson @thedingodaily.com · 13/09/2026

"France did not wait for the debate. It already moved all of its gold out of New York. Germany, one of the world's largest holders of gold reserves, is now actively discussing whether to do the same."

thedingodaily.com

Netherlands Just Pulled 86 Tons of Gold Out of America

The Netherlands yanked 86 tons of gold from the US, France already cleared out its reserves, and Norway's sovereign wealth fund is eyeing the exit. America is losing its default status.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

We have been feeding this to our barn cats for months, yet their ability to do even basic tasks (like oil and filter service) remains unimpressive. One star.

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Reposted by Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer

Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Because it’s make-believe, that’s why!! FFS, people Don’t be stupid

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Irrigation day in Santa Paula, helping the avocados recover from yesterday's 108 degree onslaught. Pleased to see very little damage on the tender young growth that will fruit in 2028.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Even with good starting soil moisture and high humidity, 105 degrees is pretty stressful for avocados. West wind is starting to come in and irrigation is started, but I'll be seeing some damage show up in tbe next few days.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Scattered raindrops and the rumble of distant thunder are unusual for September. And yet tomorrow we might send everyone home early due to expected heat stress.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Looking and feeling tropical after 4/10 inch of rain yesterday. Surprised to see a bump in soil moisture levels as deep as 16" in some spots.

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Reposted by Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer

John Br👻OoOOOoOoo👻ks @johnbrooks.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

L'Arc de Participationne

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

"Another dog - mulch - avocado orchard pic? Yawn!" Hope is not into it this morning.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

"It must be wonderful to go to work and be surrounded by nature"

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Reposted by Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Cool, cool, I have a couple quick questions -- who's in charge of preventing food-induced illnesses right now and how good a job are they doing?

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Dramatic skies in Santa Paula this morning. I guess the summer monsoon is going to be our thing now. Forecast has solid chance of rain next week. Better than Santa Ana winds.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Roscoe is about 45-50 pounds, Hope is 85-90.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

He looks almost like a composite of my two.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Roscoe and Hope wish all who celebrate a happy #nationaldogday. For those that don't, they wish an infestation of cats.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Also reflects the extent to which many farmers lack complete agency. As they used to say "Nobody gets fired for buying IBM." Doing the expected thing, even if there are better/cheaper options, is a lot easier to justify to off-farm family members, partners, investors with say in matters.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

In some cases they are smaller, but in most the truck has grown, but the bed has not.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

To be fair, they're pretty indestructible. A 1991 F150 is what Keith Richards and Willy Nelson will be driving after the apocalypse. It has remained in service long after the Chevy Colorado that was supposed to replace it has been retired.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Not sure. 5 digit odometer. Right now it reads ~23,000, but I don't know how many times my Dad rolled it over before it became my responsibility. Probably 223,000, 323 is more likely than 123.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The shiny new F250s crack me up. Our 35 year old F150 has done and will continue to do more work than most of them ever will. But I admit that my cranky insistence on maintaining an ancient truck is it's own statement/affectation about what kind of farmer I am.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Yeah, the importance of location and climate doesn't seem to factor into discussions as much as it should. Those impose some very real limitations!

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I've had very large veggie gardens at times in the past. But eventually I realized that fresh tomatoes and basil are 90% of what I really want....

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Selected over thousands of years to protect flocks from lions, bears, and wolves, Anatolian shepherds are a tough breed. But Hope does enjoy sitting in the shade with a pup cup after checking irrigation. (Note muddy paws) 21st century quasi suburban farm dog.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Important to know if you want produce or a hobby. It can be both, but you're going to be much happier if you're honest with yourself about the priorities.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

A break from avocado content: this cake by pastry genius Anastasia Chavez highlights 2 of our legacy crops: Meyer lemons and figs. Picked them Wednesday morning, cake Thursday evening. Great farm dinner by Totally Local VC. Thanks Chef Tim and Kat! Photo: Camarillo Barrel Works

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Occasionally mature avocado trees are heavily cut back to control structure, improve fruit size, and make future harvests safe and economical. Exposed bark is whitewashed with diluted white latex paint. New growth starts to appear quickly, and will yield fruit a couple years from now.

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I'm going to guess that was a Mexicola Grande, but there are plenty of possibilities. Even that the backyard tree is a genetic original!

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Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer @pettyranch.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

The belief that ignorance = rural authenticity runs deep. I once had a policy advocate tell me "I like talking to you because you're not a farmer." "I am literally a farmer." "Yeah, but... you know what I mean." Yeah. I do.

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